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MBTA Announces May Service Changes 

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Service changes are taking place to support fiber cable work on the Green Line in April, critical maintenance work near Boston College, signal upgrade work on the Orange Line, MassDOT’s Maffa Way/Mystic Avenue Bridge Superstructure Replacements project, work on the East Street Bridge, and MassDOT’s Newton-Weston Bridge replacement and rehabilitation project. 

The MBTA today announced service changes in May on the Green, Orange, Franklin/Foxboro, and Framingham/Worcester lines. 

Riders can find more information on service changes through in-station signage, in-station public announcements, and at mbta.com/PlannedWork. Transit Ambassadors and MBTA staff will be available on-site to offer information and assistance during these service changes. Riders are encouraged to subscribe to T-Alerts or to follow the MBTA on X @MBTA, @MBTA_CR, and @MBTA_CR_Alerts for up-to-date service information.  

On the Green Line

  • As a reminder, Green Line service will be suspended between Government Center and Medford/Tufts as well as Union Square during the weekend of April 26 – 27:
    • Free and accessible shuttle bus service will replace trains between Government Center and Medford/Tufts.  
      • Shuttle buses will serve Haymarket in the inbound/southbound direction only. Riders boarding or disembarking at Haymarket outbound/northbound can instead utilize the shuttle bus stops at Government Center (which is less than a quarter mile or a five-minute walk) or North Station (which is about a quarter mile or a seven-minute walk). 
         
    • Riders should note there will be no shuttle bus service to Union Square. Green Line Union Square Branch riders can instead use area bus routes: 
      • Route 109 is the best alternative for riders. As a Frequent Bus Route operating every 15 minutes or better, the 109 operates between Union Square and East Somerville Station on the Medford Branch. Route 109 also connects to Sullivan Square Station on the Orange Line and to Harvard Station on the Red Line for a faster travel time to downtown Boston.  
         
      • Riders may also utilize Route 91 between Union Square and East Somerville Station on the Medford Branch. The 91 also connects to Sullivan Square Station on the Orange Line and Central Station on the Red Line for a faster travel time to downtown Boston.  
         
      • Riders may also utilize Route 87 between Union Square and Lechmere station.  
         
    • Accessible van service will be available at Magoun Square Station. Riders can request this service by seeing onsite personnel. 
       
    • Riders are encouraged to utilize the Orange Line for parallel service through downtown Boston. 
       
    • Riders are reminded that Orange Line / Green Line connections can also be made via the Winter Street Concourse, which connects Park Street and Downtown Crossing Stations.  
       
    • This service change is in place for crews to replace fiber cable on the viaduct; perform the installation, testing, and clean out of drainage areas; perform pump station testing; replace cologne eggs, and perform rail replacement. 
       
  • Boston College Station on the B Branch will be closed beginning at approximately 9 PM on Friday, May 2, and continuing each day through the weekend of May 3 – 4.
    • Riders can board and disembark at the intersection of Lake Street and Commonwealth Avenue, which is less than a 2-minute walk (about 350 feet) from Boston College Station.  
       
    • This service change is in place for crews to perform annual programmed maintenance, addressing routine needs and ensuring that all infrastructure remains in peak operating condition. This maintenance includes inspections, adjustments, and repairs to keep the system safe and running smoothly throughout the year.  

On the Orange Line

  • Orange Line service will be suspended between Back Bay and Forest Hills beginning at approximately 8:30 PM on Friday, May 2, and continuing each day through the weekend of May 3 – 4.
    • Free and accessible shuttle buses will make stops at all stations between Back Bay and Forest Hills. 
       
    • Riders are encouraged to consider the Commuter Rail for fare-free service between Forest Hills, Ruggles, Back Bay, and South Station. Riders should note that regular fares should be purchased beyond Forest Hills. 
       
    • This service change is in place to accomplish signal upgrade work on the Orange Line. By upgrading its signals, the MBTA expects to significantly increase operational efficiency and improve scheduling reliability for all riders. 
       
  • Orange Line service will be suspended between North Station and Oak Grove beginning at approximately 8:30 PM on Friday, May 9, and continuing every day for the following nine days, May 10 – 18.
    • Free and accessible shuttle buses will make all stops between North Station and Oak Grove. 
      • Riders using shuttle buses should budget ample extra travel time. For example, a rider traveling to Downtown Crossing from Oak Grove should budget an additional 45 – 60 minutes of travel time in addition to their regular commute. 
         
    • Express shuttle buses will also serve Oak Grove, Malden Center, and North Station. 
       
    • Accessible van service will be available on weekdays during this service change, directly serving all Orange Line stations between Oak Grove and North Station. Please see onsite personnel to request the accessible van. 
       
    • Riders are strongly encouraged to consider the Haverhill Commuter Rail Line for fare-free service to and from Oak Grove, Malden Center, and North Station. Regular fares should be purchased beyond Oak Grove.  
      • Travel time between Oak Grove and North Station on the Haverhill Line is approximately 20 minutes. 
         
    • The service change is in place to allow crews to support of MassDOT’s Maffa Way/Mystic Avenue Bridge Superstructure Replacements project, which will replace the two deteriorated bridge superstructures and improve bicycle, pedestrian, and transit facilities. 

On the Franklin/Foxboro Commuter Rail Line

  • Franklin/Foxboro Commuter Rail Line service will be suspended between Forge Park/495 and Readville during the weekend of May 17 – 18.
    • A dedicated diversion schedule will be available on mbta.com
       
    • Free and accessible shuttle bus service will replace train service between Forge Park/495 and Readville. 
       
    • Passengers are encouraged to consider the Providence and Fairmount Commuter Rail lines for service between Readville and South Station. 
       
    • This service change is in place due to work taking place on the East Street Bridge Replacement project.  

On the Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail Line

  • Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail Line service will be suspended between Framingham and South Station beginning at approximately 11 PM on Friday, May 30, and continuing each day through the weekend of May 31 – June 1.
    • Passengers should note a second weekend closure between Framingham and South Station is scheduled to occur the weekend of June 20, beginning at approximately 11 PM on Friday, June 20, and continuing through the weekend of June 21 – 22. 
       
    • A dedicated diversion schedule will be available on mbta.com
       
    • Community members aiming to travel to and from downtown Boston during the weekend work are strongly encouraged to utilize the MBTA’s shuttle bus alternatives. Major traffic delays are anticipated for motorists on portions of I-90 and I-95/Route 128.
       
    • Free and accessible shuttle bus service will replace train service between Framingham and Riverside on the Green Line D branch for continued service to and from downtown Boston. 
      • Shuttle buses will serve Framingham, West Natick, Natick Center, Wellesley Square, Wellesley Hills, and Auburndale with a connection to Riverside. 
         
      • For passengers who typically board at South Station, take the Red Line subway at South Station northbound/Alewife-bound to Park Street. Then connect to the Green Line D branch westbound/outbound to Riverside to connect to shuttle bus service. 
         
      • For passengers who typically disembark at South Station, disembark shuttle buses at Riverside for inbound/eastbound Green Line service to Park Street and other downtown Boston connections. At Park Street, connect to the Red Line southbound/Ashmont- or Braintree-bound to South Station.  
         
    • An additional free and accessible shuttle bus service will operate between West Newton, Newtonville, Boston Landing, and Kenmore where riders can use the Green Line B, C, and D branches.   
       
    • Passengers should also note that Commuter Rail service between Worcester and Framingham will be fare-free during this service change. 
       
    • This service change is in place due to work taking place on MassDOT’s Newton-Weston Bridge replacement and rehabilitation project.  

The MBTA previously announced service changes in April. More information is available here

The MBTA understands how these service changes affect riders’ daily travels during this period, but we are committed to improving your travels long term with more reliable, timely, and safe service. We thank riders for their patience as we deliver this important work and for continuing to ride our system. 


The above press release was submitted to us by the MBTA.

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